Largest agricultural photovoltaic (PV) power plant in OÖ now powers 1,680 homes

In the picturesque district of Braunau, Upper Austria, a groundbreaking Agri-PV project has been realized on farmer Franz Bachleitner's land. The consortium, comprising Energy AG and EWS Consulting GmbH, has demonstrated the dual harvesting of solar power and grain in Pischelsdorf.

This project, referred to as a "lighthouse project" by Energy AG, is a significant step towards the company's goal of building a total capacity of more than 25 megawatts peak of PV plants in the current business year. The Ebensee project, the largest single investment of The Energy AG to date, totals an impressive "clean" 400 million euros.

The facility, operated by The Energy AG and EWS Consulting GmbH from Munderfing, covers 7,514 modules with a total capacity of 4.58 MWp. The Agri-PV plant in Ebensee is expected to produce 5.9 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, enough to supply electricity to 1,680 households in the region.

The project, which was under construction for almost half a year, was put into operation on Friday. The Pischelsdorf solar field, spanning over the district, covers 80% of the area for farming as before, while 20% is used for solar energy generation. This design offers protection against frost and drought damage without competing with food production and without sealing soil.

The Agri-PV plant in Ebensee is a milestone in the Energy AG's goal of increasing the share of solar power in Upper Austria tenfold by 2030. The project was overseen by Energy AG Supervisory Board Chairman and State Councillor Markus Achleitner (ÖVP) and Energy AG CEO Leonhard Schitter.

Joachim Payr, shareholder of Innviertler EWS Consulting GmbH, highlighted a "high local population participation of 36 percent in the crowdfunding project." This participatory approach underscores the project's commitment to fostering community involvement in renewable energy initiatives.

In addition to the Agri-PV project, the grid expansion project in Upper Austria's central region is underway. The construction of a 220-kV ring is intended to facilitate the transformation of industry, ensuring the region's sustainable energy future.

In 25 years, the Agri-PV plant in Ebensee would save 114,260 tons of CO2, making it a significant contribution to Austria's climate goals. The Pischelsdorf solar field, a testament to innovative agriculture and renewable energy, is set to pave the way for similar projects in the future.